Auburn officials learned the NCAA’s investigation into its football program was not completed after a contentious back-and-forth at this summer’s annual SEC gathering, according to a report from The New York Times.

According to the Times, Julie Roe Lach, the NCAA vice president for enforcement, got into a heated discussion with Auburn football coach Gene Chizik. Roe Lach gave a presentation to a group that included every men’s basketball coach, football coach and athletic director, according to the Times.

When she finished and opened the floor to questions, Chizik quickly raised his hand and chimed in. Chizik asked about the NCAA’s investigation into Cam Newton and why the organization had not publicly announced it was over. Chizik said the lack of closure hurt Auburn in recruiting.

The Times cited multiple SEC coaches and athletic directors at the meeting who corroborated the report.

“Obviously, I think that she was serious, and I obviously thought it was a good message, because you could tell that she and they are serious about what they’re doing and trying to do what they have to do to clean up some of the bad elements in college athletics,” Vanderbilt hoops coach Kevin Stallings told the Times.

According to the report, Stallings was one of four SEC basketball coaches who confirmed the exchange. The NCAA and Auburn both acknowledge that Cecil Newton, Cam’s father, offered his son to Mississippi State for $180,000.

Auburn did an internal investigation and, erring on the side of caution, ruled Cam Newton ineligible. The NCAA later declared him eligible to play the rest of the season. Newton led Auburn to the national title and won the Heisman Trophy in the process before being the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.

Cam Newton maintains that he was unaware of his father’s attempts to steer him toward a school for money.